CONTACT: Fred Youberg, 277-2521 or Frank D. Martinez, 277-1811

March 14, 2003 MARCH 28 CAMPUS UPDATE INVITES FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT PROJECT LINK Project LINK (Linking Information Networks and Knowledge) has arrived at the University of New Mexico. In fact, Project LINK (formerly known as the "EMIS" or "SCT Banner") will be introduced to the University in a big way March 28 when President F. Chris Garcia along with several UNM vice presidents and members of the project's Coordinating Team host a "Campus Update" to describe the project's scope, timelines and details to UNM faculty, staff and students. The event, which will include handouts and question-and-answer opportunities, is scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Woodward Lecture Hall. Light refreshments will be served. Project LINK is a University-wide effort to reengineer and automate various University business and administrative processes to make them more efficient and customer focused. The multi-layered project will be implemented over the next five to seven years beginning with a financials component that will include the introduction of web-based purchasing, accounts payable and general ledger systems. "These automated systems have already been introduced to several institutions of higher education throughout the country, including some here in New Mexico. When they become functional, they will streamline our systems and make them much more user- and customer-friendly," said UNM Vice President for Business and Finance Julie Weaks Gutierrez. The project will have significant ramifications for faculty, staff and students across campus. "It will, for example, change the way faculty post grades for their students. It will allow for more comprehensive student advisement. It will change the way students apply for admission to UNM. It will change the way we order and pay for goods and services," she said. "The project will reengineer and redesign UNM's major administrative processes by applying modern information technology such as electronic workflow and electronic edits that will increase data accuracy, web-based, on-demand reporting. It will create business processes that more efficiently utilize staff at both the departmental and central business office levels," said Weaks Gutierrez. In addition to the Finance system, Project LINK will also automate systems in UNM's Student Affairs area, Financial Aid, Human Resources and the Advancement Division's Alumni and Development areas. UNM has contracted with the SCT Corp., a global information technology solutions company, to provide its SCT Banner suite of software that will integrate and automate UNM's core administrative systems and processes. SCT is also providing project management services as part of its contract with UNM. "I really encourage all UNM faculty, staff and students to attend the March 28 campus-wide event. It will be a good way for members of the campus community to begin learning about the project and its potential benefits for the University," said Weaks Gutierrez. Currently, information about the project can be found on the following website: link.unm.edu. Also, for more information and a subscription to the project's electronic newsletter, subscribe to the EMISP-L listserve or call 277-2521. # # #

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981